Project Scope

Halliburton Plaza is a 1-1/2 acre public park adjacent to Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros Baseball Team, in Houston, Texas. The goal of the project was to create an environment that generated the excitement of a baseball game while paying tribute to three of Houston's defining institutions - Halliburton (Houston's third largest employer), the Ashes Baseball Team and the railroad industry.

Project Description

The landscape architect's main challenge was for the park to feature the history of Halliburton as well as chronicle the story of The Astros through unique landscape elements.

Halliburton's history is recorded at the gathering terrace near the left field entrance to the ballpark on three brick walls that resemble boxcars on a railroad track. Steam at the base of the walls mimics the movement of trains from years past, symbolizing the progression of Halliburton's story through time.

The centerpiece of the park is three-quarters of a regulation-sized infield, with sculptures of noted Astros players Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell completing a double play. Visitors can run the bases or throw a ouch from the pitcher s mound to home plate. An arbor encloses a replica of the players' bench allowing fans to experience the Astros dugout, while stadium lights illuminate the field, creating the excitement of a big baseball game. Bleachers are positioned along the Astros pennant wall, providing a place for spectators to watch the various activities in the park. This series of activity points entertain visitors in the park on game day.

The Astros' history is beautifully displayed along the outfield Pennant Wall. A timeline documents the early days of the Ashes Baseball Team through the present, and highlights championships and important milestones along the way.

A paved railroad track integrates the city of Houston's long history with the railroad. The track bisects the park, linking the two train-shed sheltered entrances at opposite ends of the park. The train-shed entrance on the south side of the park is adjacent to Union Station, one of Houston's most significant historic landmarks.

Design Approach

The landscape architect was the prime consultant for the project and worked closely with client representatives throughout all stages of the project. It was important to balance the integrity of the design with usable space. It was equally Important to incorporate educational elements as points of interest in the park, as well as create an environment where people of all ages could

experience the size and scale of a big-league infield. Circular forms were used throughout the park to correspond with the round form of a baseball, creating subtle reminders of the sporting event featured in the adjacent stadium.

The project presented several design challenges. The site for the park was an underutilized open space where fill from the construction of the stadium had been deposited. It required the removal of 5-6 feet of earth and the subsequent introduction of imported topsoil for planting.

Because the park would be highly trafficked, it was important that the materials in the infield replica were highly durable. A special infield Bermuda sod was planted and receives the same attention by the groundskeeper as the infield inside the ballpark.

As a west-facing site, appropriate shade structures and trees were needed throughout the park to provide relief during the hot summer months of the baseball season. The feeling of open space on the scale of an actual infield had to be preserved at the same time. Shade structures took the form of “dugout” arbors and trees encircled by benches.

Plantings include Laurel Oaks along the street and throughout the park. Ornamental planting in strip beds along the stadium and adjacent streets include Wax Myrtle, Morning Light Miscanthus, Fountain Grass, Miscanthus Grass and Iris Bicolor. Rosemary, Purple Sage, Purple Salvia and English Ivy surround trees located within the circular benches in the park.

The interior of the baseball diamond has special infield Bermuda sod, with brick pavers on a sand bed serving as the base paths. White brick pavers create the boundaries for the field.

Sunset red pavers serve as railroad ties while pavestone unit pavers in charcoal with a standard finish serve as the track. The track path is completed with pavestone unit pavers in a limestone color with a milky white quartex finish.

The Pennant and Halliburton History walls are constructed with concrete masonry cores covered with a brick veneer.

Project Significance

At the time of construction, the baseball park was the only one of its kind where active players were honored through large bronze sculptures on the site.

The park regularly accommodates large groups for tours and special game day events. The park is also host to various community events including fun runs„ special vendor promotions and was center stage for activities surrounding the All-Star Game in 2004.

The landscape architect transformed this underutilized open space at the stadium site into a popular activity area for baseball fans, a place for people to meet before and after games, and a point of interest for Houstonians or out-of-towners strolling downtown.